Thanks Jack. Hope you'll pass-along kits and part nos. Nat

 

Would there be a warranty problem with the 2 spacer removed?

 

Jack,

I just went through this issue in March after placing an order for a new 2 horse gooseneck from Sundowner Trailers (Coleman, OK). Sundowner recommended a minimum clearance between the bedrail and the support frame of the gooseneck of 6 - 8". As the gooseneck frame on the trailer was 61" from the ground with the trailer sitting level and a 57" bedrail height, I had about 4" clearance.

I was told by Sundowner that my empty trailer would have a pin weight of approximately 1200#. To test the "squat", I loaded the truck bed with 1200# over the axle and measured about 2 1/2" squat. This resulted in a clearance of 6 1/2 inches, which I thought was a bit tight. After considering options, I decided to have the trailer axles blocked 1" to increase the clearance to 7 1/2 inches.

I am pretty impressed with Sundowner Trailers Inc. Their engineers were pretty close with their calculations. When I picked my trailer up in Northfield, MN two weeks ago, with the trailer sitting 1-1/2" high in the nose (on level ground), I had 8 1/2 inches of bedrail clearance. After loading two horses, the trailer was sitting 1" high in the nose (no big deal) and I had about 8 - 1/4" clearance. I ultimatley lowered the gooseneck to level the trailer and now have 7 1/4" clearance - or about the middle of the factory recommended clearance range.

For the posters who say travelling down the road with the nose high (or low) on a 5th wheel or gooseneck is not a problem; I can't agree and I think such advice is ill informed and possibly dangerous. Changing the angle of the trailer changes the weight load on the trailer axles as well as the pin weight on the back of the truck. This can have disasterous results on handling and control. Sundowner does not recommend a rise of more than 2" (max) and states that a lower rise is desireable. I think anyone recommending pulling a "nose high" trailer should check with the trailer manufacturer before giving such advise to others.

If I had the option of a factory kit to lower my truck, I might have considered it, however without a kit, I was concerned about problems I might encounter with driveline angle changes. The cost to block the trailer axles was about $100.00 and although I was hesitant to raise the trailer's center of gravity, Sundowner was not concerned about the increased height and my towing experience has been very good.

In my opinion, short of a factory kit (to lower your truck), I'd block you trailer axles and pull a level trailer.

PS If you would like a list of truck bed "squat" measurements with different bed weights, just let me know (I tested 1,000 - 1,500# loads before deciding to block my trailer axles).